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7 Things to Know Before Hitting the Road on a Uganda Road Trip

Self drive or road trips are increasing becoming popular among travelers visiting Uganda and want to rent a car for transportation convenience. Whether you plan to explore the city, visit an upcountry destination like a wildlife park , there’s definitely no better way to do like when you behind the driving wheel. The control, freedom and privacy you get on a self drive safari in Uganda will give you the ultimate adventure experience you always dreamed of.

Before you get the car keys, you need to know what to and not do when out there on the road on your own. We have put together 7 major safety tips that will help you get where you are going comfortably and safely.

Tip #1- Inspect the car – Endeavor to check the condition of vital car parts both inside and outside. Basic parts include engine water, oil, headlights, Air conditioner functionality while you can’t overlook the cleanliness of the interior including seats, dashboard and windows.

Tip #2 – Get a GPS – if it’s your first time driving in Uganda, then you will definitely need to rent a Global Positioning System to avoid getting lost along the trip. This gadget will show you which route to take indication distance and time taken to get there plus showing raod side attractions, restaurants among other establishments.

Tip #3- Fuel Up– You should ensure you fill up the fuel tank before you leave town or lodge to avoid unwanted breakdowns. You can carry an extra 2 to 3 fuel jerrycans as back-up.

Tip #4- Follow traffic rules – For a safe and comfortable self drive trip in any country, you always have to obey the traffic rules if what to avoid any penalties or even worse, an accident that could injure or kill passengers.

Tip #5- Avoid driving at night – For safety purposes, we recommend you completely abandon the night drives as it’s risky. You might bump into highway robbers and if you are driving through a park, you might collide with the wild animals which wouldn’t be a good scene.

Tip #6- Abide by park rules – All national parks offering game drives have specific rules set-up to avoid disturbing the wild animals and also avoid accidents. Some of the rules include no littering the park, driving at 40 km per hour or less, not littering the park, keeping on the game track provided , no blwing the car horn among others and each comes with a different penalty by UWA.

Tip #7- Don’t overspeed – This is by far the most important item among the tips as it can lead to fatal accidents and injuries. Try to drive at considerable speed most especially when on the high way, WHAT’S THE RUSH ? There are traffic officers stationed along popular road stretches ready to give you a speed ticket if you go beyond the expected limit.

Planning to take a self drive safari in Uganda and want to hire a car for your independent travels, simply send us an email to info@selfdrivinguganda.com or call us now on.

Top 3 Breathtaking Forests in Uganda

Thinking about Uganda a wonderful holiday spot in Africa and its attractions, Rain forests pop to the mind since they house the country’s most remarkable prime attractions that draw hundreds to the country every year. Prepare a week long Uganda safari to some of the breathtaking rain forests for life changing travel experience in Africa. Whether you’re on business visit, ensure to check out one of the fantastic rain forests and experience what it means to hang out in the wild and meet the rare forest habitats. Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee trekking, nature walks, forest walks are some of the expected activities that will occupy your day during your visit to one of your favorite rain forest. You can also do bird watching, game viewing in the close savanna plains which is another added advantage of visiting incredible jungle areas in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Four hundred thirty kilometers south west of Kampala city and twenty kilometers from Rwanda boarder, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the best places in Uganda to see mountain gorillas and know as the finest gorilla trekking destination in Africa. This magical rain forest too impressive not only for gorilla trekking but also bird watching, nature walks hiking and its green vegetation is a home to multiple wild habitats including elephants.

Travelers to this beautiful forest get a chance to experience, learn and cherish the various beauties of this forest to the extent that some dedicate time and money to support its conservation. Besides most Uganda safari holidays go to Bwindi Forest first and later connect to other attractions due to its attractiveness. The main tour activity is gorilla trekking, followed by birding, cultural tours, hikes, nature walks, community visits among others that are open for every guest to the forest. No entrance is paid here but for those on Uganda gorilla trekking tours, a Uganda gorilla permit costs between $450-$600. Remember to dress well for the jungle in long sleeved shirts, T-shirts, Trousers, warm jacket and comfortable walking shoes. Packed lunch and enough drinking water are some of the most carries for the day of your gorilla trek.

Kibale Forest National Park

It’s the best season rain forest for travelers all year round so welcome to the magical natural land of Uganda incredibly if you are  a primate lover, then now it’s time to try this beautiful rain forest as the ground is dry in search for the first moving primates-“the Chimpanzees”. Chimpanzee trekking and habituation are the most enjoyable tour activities beyond doubt. There are other primates to catch up with here including Baboons, monkeys, bush babies, and in total over 13primate species are found in this magical forest.

In Africa, kibale forest is one of the best chimpanzee trekking forests and many travelers would highly testify including adventure travelers. While here one can enjoy exciting bird watching in Bigodi wetland which is an additional experience to your visit. Chipanzee permits for kibale cost $150 with no entrance fee charges. Accommodation is plenty and lodges include primate lodge, chimps nest, Kibale safari lodge, chimpanzee guest house among others.

Budongo Forest

The chimpanzee trekking home in Murchison falls national park one  of the ultimate places to see the Big five ,lions, elephants, buffalo, leopard and the Rhino that you meet first on your way to the park at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. Unlike other popular parks in Uganda, but trips to Murchison falls offers 99% chances of meeting both the big five and the chimpanzees of Budongo forest. Chimpanzees in this forest are trekked twice a day both in the morning and afternoon for reasons of conservation and every trek is amazing in its own way.

The best way to explore this rain forest is on foot by taking forest walks to search for primates and other forest habitats. One day is enough for one to explore this lovely forest but if you want to engage in other park activities, three days are the best. Remember, you have to pay for entrance fee herein order explore the park and its rain forest of Budongo. Being close to one of the best kept natural secrets the might Murchison falls, this wildlife safari in Murchison falls national park is the most wonderful.

Guide to Renting Family Cars in Uganda

A safari is always memorable especially when you go as a family or a big group of people, moving together in one car. Of course this gives you a memorable experience especially if everything goes well right from the safari car and the tourist activities and the accommodation, all these if combined together must be well organized in order to make your safari a wonderful with memories which will last forever. Our car rental in Uganda service (4X4 Uganda car hire.com) we aim at customer satisfaction, we give out our cars according to the clients’ interest, budget and the number of people traveling. If you wish to move as a group from 6-26 people, we have suitable cars for such big groups which are 4×4 wheel drive comfortable with a good space for luggage making it suitable for family trips and have air conditioner. A 4×4 land cruiser with a pop up roof can take 6 people including a driver a land cruiser extended can take up to 8 people with a driver. Or you can use a family sized supper custom which is suitable for both towns running and for distanced places. We have coasters which take up to 26 people.

Choosing the suitable car can be a truly complex affair, so if you’re trying to decide which family car to go with (hire) check on our family car review for the best choice so that you can choose one which is suitable in terms of budget and the number of people you wish to travel with in order to have an incredible family vacation.

Booking in time will save you from moving on street of a strange nation while looking for a car and you will also save on being overcharge due to last minute booking. Ounce you chose to travel as a family or a group, you don’t want to waste a minute on unforeseen transport delays, weather condition or any other potential bumps in the road which can disorganize your safari, we offer the best cars which will never leave you regretting. You can choose to book a self-drive or with a driver, but however the case, Uganda is endowed with very many things to do ounce you book safari to this pearl of Africa, however, it will depend on the number of the days you will stay on this mother land and your areas of interest.

A sample of Uganda’s tourist activities that you will enjoy during yourself drive safari to Uganda include; within Kampala Uganda’s capital a city is rewarding as you will visit the traditional sites like the Kasubi tombs where 4 kings of Buganda where buried, visit the Bahai temple, Namugongo shrine where the Uganda martyrs where buried for failing to renounce their religion, the national museum is also rewarding as you will learn more about the history of Uganda among many others depending on the time you have. Or you can decide to go to the beach along Entebbe with your children and enjoy Uganda’s freshest lakes. Jinja where you can meet the source of the Nile is also a fantastic place to go, visit the source of Nile the longest river in Africa the Nile offers wonderful adventurous activities like rafting, nature walk or you take a walk around jinja town.

Not only that but is gifted with 10 national parks and a number of game reserves all of which offers incredible wildlife and primate species to mention some include Lake Mburo national park, Queen Elizabeth N.P, Kibale Bwindi impenetrable national park a home to the rare mountain gorillas, Murchison N.Ps among other. A number of tourist activities are arranged. Ounce you book with us you can enjoy a variety of these activities with our comfortable and cost friendly cars; just book now to avoid last minute booking, waiting for your inquiry.

Uganda Tourism Gains Publicity at WTM UK

Uganda’s tourism sector got a large publicity in UK’s top media coverage that led to increased inquiries at the just-concluded three-day event World Travel Market (WTM) expo in London. At this annual even Uganda was showcased its great advantages! Uganda is a competetetive tourism destination and some of the reasons why you must visit Uganda is its great weather that is conducive all year round, wildlife, culture, heritage and unique location. These features make it the ultimate safari destination in East Africa.

Another potential is the investment opportunities that are available for business travelers who would like to trade or invest in this lovely country.

Uganda’s tourism was featured on a full page spread in the travel section of the UK’ leading newspapers that inlclude The Financial Times (FT), fondly referred to as FT or the Pinky, because of its distinctive pink colour, prizes itself.

FT.com has 4.5 million registered users and over 285,000 digital subscribers, as well as 600,000 paying users. FT Chinese has more than 1.7 million registered users.

“For Uganda to appear in the FT is very good publicity especially that it was featured on a full page as the lead story on the eve of the WTM is mark of honor, visibility and recognition for us as a country,” says UTB Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Asiimwe.

Led by the Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu and hosted by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda exhibiting at the Excel international Convention Centre located on the northern quay of the Royal Victoria Dock in London Docklands, between Canary Wharf and London City Airport.

The three-day event was attended also by 20 private sector exhibitors who also included hoteliers and accommodation property owners. “In 2015 and 2016, Uganda had 18 private sector players. This is the largest contingent of private sector players and we are very hopeful there will be an increase in numbers,” Stephen Asiimwe, the CEO of the UTB said yesterday.

UTB also provided promotional materials, meals, entertainment, media, speaking engagements and coordinated meetings with different players.

Uganda’s government delegation also included the state minister of tourism, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda, the shadow tourism minister and MP for Kasese, Hon Robert Centenary, and the outgoing Tourism Permanent Secretary Amb. Patrick Mugoya. Mr. Mugoya has been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Others are the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the High Commission in London led by Amb. Joyce Kikafunda.

“We are here to aggressively market Uganda in all its facets,” Prof. Kamuntu said at a media briefing at the Uganda Stand. “President Yoweri Museveni has promised us more support and we are determined to push Uganda to a middle income economy by 2031 and tourism will be one of the cash cows in this endeavor,” he added.

“The hiring of a public relations and marketing firm for the UK market has been a big boost in bringing business contacts, appointments and securing good deals for our tour operators,” Asiimwe said.

Kamageo group was responsible for the increased publicity, visibility and interest in Uganda. Kamageo has been running a “Discover Your Uganda” campaign under the Pearl of Africa brand. This has led to writers flying into Uganda and writing and covering travel experiences from Bwindi Impenetrable forests to Kidepo National Park and covered in top media houses like National Geographic, The Sun Newspaper, The Daily Star, The Independent, Rough Guides, among others.

At the WTM Uganda featured in a travel trade center-spread magazine, the TTG@WTM with a readership of 50,000 readers in print and on-line.

In May 2016, Uganda hired three PR and Marketing companies for North America, German Speaking and English speaking countries. The UK firm, which was contracted, Kamageo, has been very instrumental in engaging mainly UK travel trade and media companies to highlight travel experiences to Uganda. The event which was launched by President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe has seen over six groups from top Media and Travel companies do familiarization trips to Uganda.

Fuel Policies from Uganda Rental Companies

Fuel refill policy is a rule put up by Car Hire Company on which way the client supposed to refill the fuel tank on the return of the car after using it. Fuel-refill policy has become a very common term in car hire business. This is because without fuel a car can never operate. It is the means which can make a vehicle move.  Fuel does not come with a cheap cost due to its usefulness and scarcity in the world and also it gets used up easily so the expenses of fuel on car hire are recurring.

Various car hire companies in Uganda conduct different fuel-refill policies as agreed on with the client in the car hire agreement and they are as below;

This policy is normally conducted by big car hire companies in Uganda where the client is hired a car with a full tank to commence your journey. The client is supposed to return the car with a full tank fuel or in case the client gets business and does not find time to refill the tank, he/she must communicate earlier and he/she pays the exact amount of money for a full tank fuel. But if the client violates this policy he/she is more likely to a very big premium fine for not refilling the tank as agreed on in the car hire agreement. It is advisable to always follow the policy other than incurring meaningless costs on your car hire services.

There is also a policy where by the car hire companies hires the client a car with little fuel that is supposed to drive the client from the airport or the car hire company premises to his/her hotel or next fuel refilling station before he/she real sets off for the real expedition. In return of the car, the client is supposed to refill the fuel tank with the same amount of the fuel. This is the most popular fuel refill policy among the car hire companies because it is very easy to conduct and also to comprehend.

The other fuel refill policy on car hire services in Uganda is the client refilling a full tank of fuel before starting his/her tour. With this fuel refill policy, the client is expected to leave any amount of fuel but he/she is not refunded the money for the fuel left in the tank on return. This is the most convenient policy as you just have to go the airport or the point where the client is supposed to return the car minus going to the gas refilling station where at times  there are delays as the client waiting on the refilling station for fuel. This in turn can bring some panic and worry of missing the flight.

So different car hire companies in Uganda use the above fuel refill policies and all the client needs to do is follow other than violating them because he/she might end up paying a fine. With a fine in the client’s hands he/she is more likely to get frustrated which is not good for both parties as they will be bad blood. Any client willing to hire a car in Uganda please obey the above fuel refill policy if any is used by your car hire company in order to have a very nice and peaceful travel holiday in Uganda.

Nsenene (Grasshoppers) – A Local Delicacy in Uganda

In our coverage of Bizzare Foods that people enjoy around the world, today lets look Nsenene, the long horned grasshoppers. Known as Nsenene in the local Kiganda Language, one of the local dialects the most spoken in Uganda, these grasshoppers are a great delicacy enjoyed mostly within the central and south western region of Uganda. The Nsenene has been a delicacy for centuries and among the Baganda Tribe, it is one of the 52 clans.

These grasshoppers are common in the wet seasons – April to May and November to December. This is the time when they are known to swarm. Within these months, you will find people employed to catch and collect these flying insects. During these months, the buzz around Kampala about their capture, sale, distribution, preparation and culinary enjoyment.

Nsenene are flying insects and do like lights. The local people trap these insects using large metal pans and lighting systems and then collected for sale in local markets. Today it is a business for many people in the central region to trap these insects and sell them.

Most of the sales are within Kampala, the capital city of Uganda and Masaka Town. Grasshoppers are also imported from areas as far as Burundi by the Ugandan traders and a great source of income.

How they are Prepared

Raw Grasshoppers Ready for Boiling or Frying

Nsenene can be prepared in various ways. Most preparations involve boiling or frying these insects. To give a great taste grasshoppers can be fried with onions and salt while others enjoying adding raw onions or garlic cut into small pieces to the already boiled or fried nsenene. Before they are boiled or fried, the legs and wings are plucked off.

For long the local Baganda used to eat these insects and the neighboring tribes could laugh at them! However these days, with the mix-up of tribes in Uganda, you will find that almost all locals including the non Baganda enjoy these grasshoppers. Even the Bazungu Tourists who are free-minded have tasted these grasshoppers. I was surprised to learn from a Mzungu who enjoyed these insects and said there were “crunchy and delicious”.

5 Finest Self Drive Routes in Uganda

It is really very interesting to explore this pearl of Africa on your own pace and itinerary. Each region hast its own tourism attraction, and to meet these attractions in each region, needs a drive of from 3-10 hours since most tourist attractions are located in remote areas which needs you to explore with a comfortable and good vehicle. Driving on the open roads, dust roods and game park trails when on a self-drive vehicle is a great experience, and this will be much better especially when you know which route to use. When you go for a self-drive tour it requires you to have knowledge of the route to take, the distances to cover in order to plan for the fuel, you need also to know the duration and advise on the possible routes plus the accommodation to stay during the road trip. Most of Uganda roads are tarmacked with sign post and clear demarcations. The following below are the most used routes by travelers

1: Kampala- Entebbe highway (45 km)

This route is considered as the most commonly used route in Uganda as it connects Uganda to the rest of the world, it links the capital to the main airport (Entebbe international airport), and hence all visitors coming to Uganda or departing the country have to use this route. It’s about 42 km (1 hour and 10 minutes) from Kampala to the airport without traffic jam. The route has very many attractions as it takes you to the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC), botanical gardens, resort Hotels, over 20 beaches on the Lake Victoria and many other interesting places around.

2: Masaka -Masaka -Mbarara- roads

The Masaka road is known as one of the busiest roads in Uganda which stretches about 130km from Kampala Uganda’s capita and its largest city then connects to Mbarara highway about 148km in distance. From Kampala to Mbarara it’s about 278km which is about 2-3 hour’s drive depending on traffic jam in the city, from Masaka to Mbarara takes about 1hour and 40 minutes. These two routes connects to a number of popular tourist attraction in Uganda including the equator crossing, so here you can’t miss to have a stopover for snacks and photography, Lake Mburo national park which is the nearest park in Uganda you branch before Mbarara town, kibale forest the home to over 13 species of primates coupled with chimpanzee the closest relative of man sharing almost 98% of human DNA Make up, On this route you can connect to Ssese islands

3: Kampala- Jinja highway about (80 km- 2hours)

The trip starts from Kampala Uganda’s capital and it’s largest city to Jinja one of the good place for adventure safaris in Uganda, its located in eastern side of Uganda about 80km’s drive from the capital and the car takes about 2-3 hour’s drive depending on the traffic jam on the way. You will pass via Mabira forest Uganda’s biggest forest, primate watch and birding on the way is thrilling, pass through Lugazi sugar plantation plus amazing landscape scenery and local people .Many tourist love to visit jinja because it houses the source of the Nile and also a variety of many interesting adventure activities like white water rafting and Bungee jumping, other activities in Jinja include quad biking, cycling, boat rides many others. Be the first to visit this place with a self-drive car.

4: Kampala – Masindi road (285 km)

This is a can’t to mention route in Uganda as it connects the main Gulu highway and it’s the shorter route when going to Murchison falls national park which is Uganda’s largest park bio-diversified with a lot of attractions including forest giants like lions, leopard, elephant, buffaloes just to mention but a few., primate species are superb such as chimpanzee can be seen in budongo forest other primate species like the black and white colobus monkey, civet monkey among others are among the primate species inhabit the forest, bird watching activities are breathtaking, what about the beautiful Albert Nile where launch cruise are enjoyed from. Reaching Murchison falls national park takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes(285km) travelling by road.

5: Mbarara –Kabale road (472 km)

This rout links you to the most interesting and visited Uganda national park that’s Bwindi impenetrable national park which is one of the longest journey takes about 7 hours to reach the park passing via Masaka, Mbarara and Kabale. The journey takes you through plentiful trading centers, small towns, parks, local villages, landscapes among other attractions, Bwindi impenetrable national park house endangered mountain gorillas which have attracted a number of travelers to this park, tracking mountain gorillas is one of the most exciting adventurous activities on earth as these giants are only seen in three countries in the world that’s Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic republic of Congo. When at bwindi national park you can easily connect to Queen Elizabeth national park which takes about 3-4 hours passing through the famous part of the park known as the Ishasha sector of the park

Margaret Stands Down

If The Iron Lady were simply a chronicle of the career of an influential world leader, then the resulting reaction from viewers—“boring”, “inspirational”, “infuriating”, etc.—would not vary wildly, depending on their political leanings and tolerances. Thankfully, this is much more than a dry docudrama. At its core, the movie is an observant and touching exploration of a rich, full life, and its sad decline.

The film begins with a Margaret Thatcher most people haven’t seen: a plump, frail, elderly woman slowly losing her hold on reality. She is seen wandering the halls of her residence, sometimes encountering and bantering with her husband of 50 years, David, whom we soon realize died some time before. Clinging to the illusion of her husband reflects both genuine loss and a fading mental state. Director Phyllida Lloyd chooses to linger with the contemporary, post-political Margaret Thatcher for longer than most movie studios would prefer or allow. But it’s a vital choice, as it solidifies the audience’s relationship with Thatcher as a person—a wife, a mother—and not only as a politician.

Once grounded in the present, the film flashes back and forth, touching on the various points in Thatcher’s public and private life: her admiration for her father, a middle-class grocer, and his conservative beliefs; her introduction to the world of British politics (and its ingrained sexism); her rise to power within Britain’s Conservative Party; and her troubled tenure as Britain’s longest serving Prime Minister.

What emerges is a picture of an ambitious woman with seemingly endless courage in her convictions. She phrases her beliefs as mission statements and calls to action: many of her lines begin with the words “One must…” Telling off an American diplomat who is trying to lecture her on foreign policy in wartime, she declares, “I have fought every day of my life.” Indeed, at the height of her power, armored in blocky dresses in bold primary colors, with her hair sprayed solid and immoveable, she has the bearing of a battle cruiser ready to cut through the waves of dissent and disbelief.

After 40 years in film, the fact that Meryl Streep keeps winning awards would be downright annoying if she didn’t also keep earning them. Once again, she does what she does best, disappears into the character completely. Equally amazing (and award-winning) work by the make-up artists aids her transformation. Sure, the actress doesn’t look much like Margaret Thatcher, but the make-up team has made Streep look exactly like an 80-year old woman… who doesn’t look much like Margaret Thatcher.

Lloyd, a prolific theater director whose only big screen work is the musical confection Mamma Mia!, makes this a personal story with an impressionistic tone. The film stays grounded in Thatcher’s circle, with her husband at the center surrounded by rings of ministers and advisors with shifting loyalties. But it doesn’t shy away from the controversy, turmoil and violence of the era she dominated.

Again, it’s refreshing that Thatcher’s old age is not the edge but the rather the core of the story. The sight of the stalwart Cold Warrior queuing for a pint of milk at the store or struggling to free a DVD from its case humanizes a figure that might otherwise be fixed in our minds as a caricature cast in foam rubber or stenciled in spray paint on a brick wall. In the end, The Iron Lady conveys both the power of the politician and the quiet tragedy of a strong woman losing steam and losing track.